key won't turn past glow plug notch
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
1984 300D turbo
key won't turn past glow plug notch
Suddenly. Today, the 2nd day of living with my 84 300D. Seems like there is no place to go past the glow plug light, but I WAS turning the car on by going one click past. Now, nothing.
Any experience will be gratefully accepted.
Connie
Raleigh
Any experience will be gratefully accepted.
Connie
Raleigh
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
1984 300D turbo
watch out when replacing lock cylinder
I am going to post my own reply, since my experience was painful ($$$) and others might avoid it. I had a new MB mechanic for my new MB and he replaced the lock cylinder and ordered me a nice MB pair of keys for a good price, maybe $75.
A couple of weeks later, in PA, I couldn't turn the key at all and had to have the car towed to someone who wound up knowing a lot more than the guy in Raleigh: he said there are 3 dependent parts associated with the lock cylinder and since the car is 22 years old, he replaces all 3. The guy in Raleigh just replaced the cylinder. Since the key wouldn't move at all, everything had to be drilled out. The labor, plus additional parts, was over $400.
For me, the lesson isn't to replace all 3 parts next time, the lesson is to find a mechanic who thinks. I have a new mechanic now. Time will tell!
Connie
A couple of weeks later, in PA, I couldn't turn the key at all and had to have the car towed to someone who wound up knowing a lot more than the guy in Raleigh: he said there are 3 dependent parts associated with the lock cylinder and since the car is 22 years old, he replaces all 3. The guy in Raleigh just replaced the cylinder. Since the key wouldn't move at all, everything had to be drilled out. The labor, plus additional parts, was over $400.
For me, the lesson isn't to replace all 3 parts next time, the lesson is to find a mechanic who thinks. I have a new mechanic now. Time will tell!
Connie
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
'84 300CD, '82 300SD, '74 TR6, '99 Land Rover Discovery
I am going to post my own reply, since my experience was painful ($$$) and others might avoid it. A couple of weeks later, in PA, I couldn't turn the key at all and had to have the car towed to someone who wound up knowing a lot more than the guy in Raleigh: he said there are 3 dependent parts associated with the lock cylinder and since the car is 22 years old, he replaces all 3. The guy in Raleigh just replaced the cylinder. Since the key wouldn't move at all, everything had to be drilled out. The labor, plus additional parts, was over $400.
For me, the lesson isn't to replace all 3 parts next time, the lesson is to find a mechanic who thinks. I have a new mechanic now. Time will tell!
Connie
For me, the lesson isn't to replace all 3 parts next time, the lesson is to find a mechanic who thinks. I have a new mechanic now. Time will tell!
Connie
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia
1980 300TD
I had a similar problem. I replaced the steering wheel lock. That was one heck of a job.
To get you home in the mean time, pull the lock cylinder and use some long needle nose pliers. Those will get you to pinch the sprung bits together and turn the ignition to start the car. You can use a bit of brute force since you won't be bending up expensive keys.
I replaced the module (ignition? security? I don't remember, I'm still scarred from that replacement) that connected to the steering wheel lock at the same time.
To get you home in the mean time, pull the lock cylinder and use some long needle nose pliers. Those will get you to pinch the sprung bits together and turn the ignition to start the car. You can use a bit of brute force since you won't be bending up expensive keys.
I replaced the module (ignition? security? I don't remember, I'm still scarred from that replacement) that connected to the steering wheel lock at the same time.
